The oldest of six siblings, Adams was raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Sterling High School in Houston in 1979. After graduating from University of California Berkeley, she began a career as a schoolteacher and part-time model in Houston, Texas. Eventually she gave up teaching to perform full-time as a lead singer.
Musical career;
Beginnings;
Adams attracted the attention of Thomas Whitfield and Sound of Gospel Records as a lead singer in the Southeast Inspirational Choir. She signed a recording contract with Sound of Gospel which yielded her first album Just As I Am in 1987.[4] In 1990, she signed to Ben Tankard's independent label Tribute Records and released Through The Storm.
Two years later, Adams followed with Save the World, which included her first signature song "The Battle Is The Lord's". Her next release was 1995's More Than A Melody, which featured production work from Ben Tankard, O'Landa Draper, and BeBe Winans. The single "Gotta Have Love," from that album featuring Tony Terry on background vocals, gained mainstream notoriety and was her first single and music video. Yolanda... Live In Washington, released the following year, featured versions of material from her first two albums. The footage from this recording was released as a collection of two videos on VHS initially, and later as a single set on DVD.
Songs from the Heart was her final release for Verity Records and included "Only Believe" which was popular songs on contemporary radio. The album also included "Still I Rise," a dedication to Rosa Parks which was inspired by the Maya Angelou poem of the same name.
"Fragile Heart", was dedicated to the memory of Yolanda's long time road manager who died in 1998. Adams' first significant attention outside the urban contemporary gospel arena came with the release of Mountain High... Valley Low in 1999 on Elektra Records. Several mainstream artists and producers helped in the production of this album including Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Boyz II Men), James "Big Jim" Wright (Mariah Carey, Nicole C. Mullen), Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Brandy), and Keith Thomas (BeBe & CeCe Winans). The album went Platinum in 2000 and won her a Grammy Award. Notable singles from the album include Yeah", "Fragile Heart", and "Open My Heart".
In 2000, Adams released a Christmas album, and in 2001 she released a live album (The Experience). The Experience netted Adams a second Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. Believe, which included the hit "Never Give Up" was released in 2001. She would later go on to perform this song at "The Salute to Gospel Music" at the White House during President George W. Bush's administration. Believe was certified Gold in 2002. The Divas Of Gospel, with Albertina Walker (queen of gospel), was also released in 2001.
Yolanda recorded a song for the 2003 film, Honey titled "I Believe" that played during the last scene in the final dance.
Adams was also a judge for the 2nd annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.
Back after break;
After nearly four years without releasing an album, Adams returned in 2005 with Day By Day. Although charting higher than Mountain High...Valley Low on the Billboard 100, and Billboard R&B Albums Chart, It didn't get a RIAA certification. The album featured the singles "Be Blessed," "Someone Watching Over You," "This Too Shall Pass", and "Victory" which was prominently featured in the movie The Gospel. After ending her long association with Atlantic Records, They released a greatest hits collection entitled The Best of Me in May 2007. Adams signed with Columbia Records in 2007. Columbia released What a Wonderful Time, her second holiday collection in October 2007. "Hold On" was released as the lead single.
2008-Present;
In 2007 after releasing her holiday album with Columbia, She stated in different interviews that she was currently in the planning stages for a new album. Her official website states that it will be a duets project including possible collaborations with Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Natalie Cole, Trin-i-Tee 5:7, and Mary Mary. In a interview with Commercial Appeal. Adams stated that Chaka Khan, and Shirley Caesar might be on the new project also. In March 2009, she was interview by a FOX station in Houston, where she stated that her women's clothing line and new album is still in progress. The new album is currently untitled, and will be out in the last quarter of the year. She stated that the new album will be full of dance tracks. Adams' may do a secular album in the future.
Adams' song "Hold On" is included in a compilation in support of Barack Obama's campaign entitled 'Yes We Can: Voices of a Grass Roots Movement'.
Adams performed the National Anthem at the 2009 BCS National Championship game between the #1 University of Florida and #2 University of Oklahoma in Dolphin Stadium (Miami, Florida).
Personal life;
In 1997, Yolanda Adams married former NFL player Tim Crawford. The couple divorced in August 2004. They had one daughter, Taylor Ayanna, in 2001. Yolanda served as a spokesperson for the FILA Corporation's Operation Rebound, a program that addressed the concern of inner city schoolchildren. On October 15, 2008, Yolanda Adams' mother Carolyn Jean Adams died.
I'm Thankful
Yolanda Adams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whenever I fall down
And I can't say enough
'Bout the things you've done for me
Without you in my life
I don't know where I'd be
Release my heart felt praise
Gonna lift my voice and sing
[Chorus]
Gonna raise my hands up to the sky
Use every breath to glorify
Your name your work your way
'Cause I'm so thankful
For life, for health, for strength to live
For sharing love and fellowship
For every blessing that you give
I'm thankful
You're the brightest star
The universe has seen
And I'm so privileged
That you shine your light on me
So powerful so great
The ultimate creator
You gave the gift that we know as eternal life
[Chorus]
What's happenin' around me
Ain't gonna change what I believe
I believe you sent the Holy Spirit to guide me
With knowledge and wisdom for all situations
'Cause it ain't always, ain't good for ya no, no
It ain't good, it ain't good, it ain't good
It ain't good all the time
No, no
But I'm thankful for everything
You've done for me
Everything you've given me
I am thankful, Ohh
I am thankful, ooohhh
I am thankful, oohh
I am thankful
[Rap]
Raise my hands up to the sky
Use every breath to glorify
Your name, your work, your way
'Cause I'm so Thankful
For life, for health, for strength to live
For sharing love and fellowship
For every blessing that you give
I'm thankful
[Chorus to end]
The lyrics of Yolanda Adams's song I'm Thankful express gratitude towards God for everything He has done for the singer. The opening lines convey how the singer's faith in God helps her to rise again whenever she falls down. She expresses her gratitude towards God by outlining the things He has done to improve her life. She acknowledges that without God, she doesn't know where she would be. The singer goes on to say that she will raise her hands up to the sky, use every breath to glorify, and offer thanks to God for His blessings. She acknowledges that He is the ultimate creator and gave the gift that they know as eternal life.
In the second verse, she continues to express her appreciation to God. She believes that God is the brightest star that the universe has ever seen and feels privileged that He shines His light on her. She admires His power and greatness and expresses her gratitude for the gift of eternal life. In the bridge, the lyrics talk about how the singer can rely on the Holy Spirit to guide her in all situations. She acknowledges that everything may not always be good, however, she is thankful for everything that God has given her.
Line by Line Meaning
You're there to pick me up
You are always there to support me whenever I stumble
Whenever I fall down
Whenever I face challenges or hardships
And I can't say enough
I cannot express in words enough gratitude
'Bout the things you've done for me
About all the amazing things you have done for me
Without you in my life
If you were not in my life
I don't know where I'd be
I would not know where I would be or what my life would look like
Release my heart felt praise
Expressing sincere gratitude from the bottom of my heart
Gonna lift my voice and sing
I will raise my voice and sing praises to you
Gonna raise my hands up to the sky
I will lift my hands towards the sky as an act of praise and gratitude
Use every breath to glorify
I will use every breath in my body to honor and give glory to you
Your name your work your way
Referring to God's name, His wonderful work and His ways
'Cause I'm so thankful
I am extremely grateful
For life, for health, for strength to live
Grateful for the gift of life, for being healthy and strong to face life's challenges
For sharing love and fellowship
For the joy of sharing love and companionship with others
For every blessing that you give
Grateful for every good thing that God provides
You're the brightest star
God is known as the brightest, most powerful and wonderful being
The universe has seen
Acknowledgement of God's greatness as the creator of the universe
And I'm so privileged
I am honored and blessed
That you shine your light on me
That God has favored me and given me His guidance and love
So powerful so great
Describing God's power and greatness
The ultimate creator
God is the ultimate creator of all things
You gave the gift that we know as eternal life
God gave the gift of eternal life to those who believe in Him
What's happenin' around me
Life's challenges or difficulties that I may face
Ain't gonna change what I believe
They will not change my faith in God
I believe you sent the Holy Spirit to guide me
Believing that God has given the Holy Spirit to guide me in all situations
With knowledge and wisdom for all situations
The Holy Spirit provides me with knowledge and wisdom to handle any situation
'Cause it ain't always, ain't good for ya no, no
Life isn't always good or easy
But I'm thankful for everything
Despite life's difficulties, I remain grateful for everything that God has done for me
You've done for me
All the good things that God has done and continues to do for me
Everything you've given me
Every blessing I have received from God
I am thankful, Ohh
I am full of gratitude
I am thankful, ooohhh
I am expressing my gratitude
I am thankful, oohh
I am grateful
[Rap]
The following lines are in a rap style
[Chorus to end]
The closing chorus of the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., CLICHE' PUBLISHING
Written by: YOLANDA YVETTE ADAMS, ETIENE CLARK, JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, JAMES HARRIS III, TERRY LEWIS, GRANT NICOLAS, RENE SOTOMAYER, JAMES WRIGHT, JAMES QUENTON WRIGHT
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